WELCOME
The Institute of Masters of Wine is the home of exceptional expertise in the wine world. What started more than 65 years ago as an exam for the UK wine trade is now a globally recognised title collectively held by a worldwide family of Masters of Wine. Today, there are 419 MWs based in 30 countries, each making their own contribution to the world of wine. Becoming an MW means entering a unique wine community; one that brings enriching personal and professional opportunities, as well as lifelong friendships.
ABOUT US
The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction, and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, our programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn. These tastings and seminars, including our international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
FIND AN MW
The IMW’s directory of Masters of Wine allows you to search not just by name, but also by skills and specialisms. MWs are active all over the world and in all fields; MWs are winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. If you are looking for an MW in a particular country, expert comment on a specific style of wine, a speaker for your event, or experienced commercial advice, look no further.
THE MW EXAM
The MW exam tests the breadth and depth of a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and tasting skills in the art, science and business of wine. By passing the MW exam, you become a member of the IMW, gain the title Master of Wine and can use the initials MW after your name. The MW exam is a series of tasting and theory papers, plus an in-depth research project. You can find out about all stages of the exam, as well as downloading past papers, by clicking below.
Latest News
MW student Tao Platon awarded the Lallemand bursary
Master of Wine student Tao Platón is the 2022 Lallemand bursary winner. Tao is a stage two MW student and receives £1,500 towards the cost of his studies. Lallemand is a leading producer of wine yeast and bacteria, and their nutrients and a distributor of oenological...
Features
Curtis Mann MW to speak at event on wine and closures
On 13 July Curtis Mann MW will be speaking at Behind the Scenes Look at Closures, an event that explores the retail side of closure choice. Speaking alongside Curtis in the panel is Carlos de Jesus (director of marketing and communications at Amorim Cork), Eric...
Washington State Wine Commission joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce Washington State Wine Commission as an IMW major supporter. WA Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State, which amounts to over 1,000 wineries making over 17M cases of...
The Madame Bollinger Foundation awards the 2021 Madame Bollinger Medal to Álvaro Ribalta MW
Last night, Álvaro Ribalta MW was announced as the 2021 winner of the Madame Bollinger Medal, which is awarded for excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement in the Institute of Masters of Wine practical exams. Álvaro was announced as the winner by Rebecca Gibb...
Jean-Louis Chave announced as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker
Jean-Louis Chave has been honoured as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker, at a ceremony during ProWein today (16 May 2022). Given by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business since 2011, the award recognises outstanding achievement in winemaking. Masters of...
Sophie Parker-Thomson MW wins the Quinta Do Noval Award
New Zealander Sophie Parker-Thomson MW has won the prestigious Quinta do Noval Award 2021, announced at this week's IMW ceremony in the historic Vintners Hall, London. The prize is given to the best research paper (RP) by a new MW and judged by Christian Seely,...
Rosemary George MW awarded l’Ordre de Mérite Agricole
Rosemary George MW has been awarded l’Ordre de Mérite Agricole (The Order of Agricultural Merit) for her contributions to agriculture, which she says is as a result of "writing lots about French wine over the last 40 years". Congratulations, Rosemary!
Learn more about Tim Wildman MW’s Australian and English wines
Tim Wildman MW's Australian wine Astro Bunny pét-nat and new English wine Lost in a Field “Frolic” pét-nat are discussed in a few recent articles, linked below, including a feature as Wine of the Week on JancisRobinson.com. Astro Bunny pét-nat: JancisRobinson.com The...
Peter Richards MW hosts new Wine Masters series
Peter Richards MW features in the latest Wine Masters series: The Wild Side of Wine. In The Wild Side of Wine, Peter travels to unexpected wine countries and explores the country’s socio-cultural, political and historical story, told by wine people. This is the start...
Martin Reyes MW’s Napa THRIVES symposium announced
Napa THRIVES, a symposium co-founded by Martin Reyes MW, has been announced to take place in the Napa Valley in June. The symposium will welcome over 65 industry leaders and expert speakers between 7 and 23 June and will tackle the six pillars of sustainable...
Latest News
MW student Tao Platon awarded the Lallemand bursary
Master of Wine student Tao Platón is the 2022 Lallemand bursary winner. Tao is a stage two MW student and receives £1,500 towards the cost of his studies. Lallemand is a leading producer of wine yeast and bacteria, and their nutrients and a distributor of oenological...
Washington State Wine Commission joins the IMW international supporter community
The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce Washington State Wine Commission as an IMW major supporter. WA Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State, which amounts to over 1,000 wineries making over 17M cases of...
Jean-Louis Chave announced as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker
Jean-Louis Chave has been honoured as the 2022 Winemakers’ Winemaker, at a ceremony during ProWein today (16 May 2022). Given by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business since 2011, the award recognises outstanding achievement in winemaking. Masters of...
The Madame Bollinger Foundation awards the 2021 Madame Bollinger Medal to Álvaro Ribalta MW
Last night, Álvaro Ribalta MW was announced as the 2021 winner of the Madame Bollinger Medal, which is awarded for excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement in the Institute of Masters of Wine practical exams. Álvaro was announced as the winner by Rebecca Gibb...
Features
Curtis Mann MW to speak at event on wine and closures
On 13 July Curtis Mann MW will be speaking at Behind the Scenes Look at Closures, an event that explores the retail side of closure choice. Speaking alongside Curtis in the panel is Carlos de Jesus (director of marketing and communications at Amorim Cork), Eric...
Rosemary George MW awarded l’Ordre de Mérite Agricole
Rosemary George MW has been awarded l’Ordre de Mérite Agricole (The Order of Agricultural Merit) for her contributions to agriculture, which she says is as a result of "writing lots about French wine over the last 40 years". Congratulations, Rosemary!
Peter Richards MW hosts new Wine Masters series
Peter Richards MW features in the latest Wine Masters series: The Wild Side of Wine. In The Wild Side of Wine, Peter travels to unexpected wine countries and explores the country’s socio-cultural, political and historical story, told by wine people. This is the start...
Learn more about Tim Wildman MW’s Australian and English wines
Tim Wildman MW's Australian wine Astro Bunny pét-nat and new English wine Lost in a Field “Frolic” pét-nat are discussed in a few recent articles, linked below, including a feature as Wine of the Week on JancisRobinson.com. Astro Bunny pét-nat: JancisRobinson.com The...
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